FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS (TWO POSITIONS)
Location : Machinga and Mangochi, MALAWI
Application Deadline : 27-Mar-15
Additional Category
Environment and Energy
Type of Contract : Service Contract
Post Level : SB-3
Languages Required : English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
15-Apr-2015
Duration of Initial Contract : 1 Year
Expected Duration of Assignment : 1 Year
Background
Project title: UNDP-GEF/ Climate Proofing Local Development Gains in Rural and Urban Areas of Machinga and Mangochi Districts.
Inadequate mainstreaming of climate change (CC) considerations in Malawi baseline programs exposes development gains from over a hundred million USD investments in agricultural input subsidy, decentralization, irrigation expansion, and disaster risk reduction, making the dependent livelihoods highly vulnerable to climate change related risks; primarily, CC induced droughts, floods and post-harvest losses. While healthy ecosystems can provide a cost effective means of adaptation to CC, the country's natural ecosystems continue to be threatened by over-exploitation and inappropriate /weak management; and, the weak technical capacity, limited knowledge and inadequate financing, reduces the effectiveness of resource users and their government's efforts of climate proofing the development programs, at the local, district and national levels.
This new Climate Proofing project has a goal of securing the development and food security gains from these baseline programs by empowering communities to integrate climate risk considerations in the development policies, plans, projects and actions. The project objective is to provide knowledge, tools, capacities and methodologies for the adoption of an ecosystems and community based approach to adaptation, which is more effective in enabling climate vulnerable people to plan for and adapt to the impacts of climate change; benefiting over 458,371 people in 91,674 households in Mangochi and Machinga districts. The pathway of change that will bring about this objective is based on five different outcomes:
- The impact of ecosystems degradation in aggravating vulnerability to climate change risks and reducing resilience of development gains understood and integrated into key decision-making processes at the local, sub-national and national levels.
- Skills and operational capacity of District, EPA and TA level technical officers to support implementation, maintenance and monitoring of the activities under component 1 and to mainstream climate risks into all local development process (skills, legislation, and information)
- Public and domestic water harvesting, storage and distribution reduces climate change driven flooding and regulates availability of water throughout the year in flood & drought hotspots
- Rehabilitation of badly degraded forests, protection of riverbanks, lake shores and urban infrastructure.
- Productivity of agriculture supported by adoption of climate smart agriculture practices.
Knowledge will be generated and used to formulate comprehensive community based adaptation plans. Ecological and physical infrastructure measures for water management will be adopted to regulate base flow and reduce risk of climate change driven floods while mitigating against droughts. In addition, climate smart agriculture and safe post-harvest management technologies and practices will lead to enhanced production, reduction in grain loss and thus increased food security. Replication and sustainability of these initiatives will be secured through mainstreaming climate change considerations and financing into local development programs and a capacitated extension service and district councils.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Director of Finance, and under direct supervision of the District Project Coordinator, the Project Finance and Administrative Assistant shall be responsible for effective financial and administrative management of the project, ensuring funds are managed and administered appropriately in accordance with the agreed activities in the work-plan and project document. Specifically, the Finance and Administration Assistant will be responsible for the following:
- Appropriate receipt, administration and management of funds received from UNDP through the National Climate Change Programme.
- Appropriate preparation and maintenance of accounts in accordance with set procedures, ensuring the timely and correct management and reporting of funds to Implementing Agency and UNDP Malawi.
- Timely and correct submission of payment requests/quarterly advances/monthly financial reports for project implementation, and provision of technical financial management and reporting support to partners and responsible parties in the district within the Framework of UNDP and government guidelines.
- Timely disbursement of funds to subcontractors in accordance with decisions of the Project Coordinating Committee, and timely payment and reporting from service providers working under the Project.
- Successfully carry out administrative functions including coordinating minutes and reports from meetings, supporting budget planning and revisions, as well as the organization of workshops and trainings and procurement of office supplies, stationery and field assets.
- Alongside the District Project Coordinator, take part in the overall management of the project and track activity implementation, supporting the timely delivery of prioritized activities.
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism
Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes knowledge management in the project and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting
- Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects
Management and Leadership
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Demonstrates outstanding communication skills oral and written
- Negotiation skills: capacity to work with diverse partners including Government, donors and civil society;
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Required Skills and Experience
- MSCE plus a Diploma in administration, accounting or related field. Those with a degree or ACCA, professional certification will have an added advantage
- 3-5 years' experience in management of substantial multi-donor budgets.
- Knowledge of up to date accounting packages, and computer literacy in full Microsoft Office and office technology equipment.
- Progressively responsible experience in budget administration and financial reporting.
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work under pressure and to establish and maintain effective work relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
- Excellent communication skills with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
